Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #394396 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-03
• Released on: 2006-10-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Amazon.com Review
One step, two steps, a slow, writhing waddle, its head lowered, no more than a foot or so off the ground…onward it came,…the long, long body curved like a winding river, huge and glittery…Almost the worst of it was the slowness…I could see its pale yellow eyes clearly now. Slowly it raised its head, swaying from side to side...

Dina stands transfixed in the pit of alligator-dragons she must cross to rescue her mother in the labyrinthine castle of the wicked Lord Drakan. Three people have been murdered by someone, and Dina's mother has been summoned to confirm the guilt of young Nico, who was found standing over the bodies with bloody hands. She is a Shamer, and to meet her gaze means confronting all the shameful acts one has ever committed. Yet she finds no guilt in Nico, and will not accuse him, although Drakan is strangely, and menacingly, insistent that she do so.

Dina has inherited her ability, but finds it alienates her from everyone in the village. She longs for just one friend who will look her in the eyes. But now Drakan has threatened to use his dragons to execute her mother publicly on the morrow, and Dina must find allies to save her. Before the story is over Dina will find those allies and that loyal friend--but also feel the dragon's needle-sharp fangs, in this exciting beginning to a promising fantasy series translated from the Danish. (Ages 10 to 14) -- Patty Campbell

From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9–Like her mother, the local Shamer, Dina can see the shameful truths hidden in the souls of her fellow villagers–if only they will look her in the eye. Of course, everyone avoids her, and she has grown to hate her so-called "gift." Then Mama is taken prisoner, and Dina must use her truth-telling ability to solve a triple murder and rescue her mother and the young man falsely accused of the crime. Suspenseful and sometimes gory, this fantasy features interesting secondary characters and a well-drawn preindustrial setting. Occasional corny dialogue and overlong escape scenes won't deter readers, who will speed through the unfolding of the story's many mysteries: Who really killed the noble Castellan and his family? Why are there ravenous dragons at his castle? Whom can Dina trust now that the killer has seized control of the kingdom? Although only 10, she thinks and acts like an older child, and her increasing courage and resourcefulness in the face of evil doings, exhaustion, and the strains of her own talent will appeal to fans of Tamora Pierce's work. By the end of the book, Dina finds some peace as she makes a new friend and learns that her gift can heal as well as cause pain. Since the killer remains in power, plenty of conflict has yet to be resolved in the novel's proposed sequels.–Beth Wright, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 6-8. Dina, nearly 11, bitterly resents having inherited her mother's power as a Shamer; she would rather be normal and have friends. When wrongdoers look into the Shamer's eyes, they are forced to face all their hidden, shameful secrets, which the Shamer also sees. After her mother is summoned to Dunark Castle to solve a violent triple murder, Dina, who is misled into believing that her mother needs her, is taken to the castle. There she must use her Shamer's eyes to save both her mother and the accused 17-year-old Nico, who is innocent of the crime. The story involves a dank dungeon and a dark pit of voracious dragons as well as the real villain, who is as vicious as the dragons. This first book in the Shamer Chronicles is a page-turner; readers will eagerly await the next episode. Sally Estes
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Wonderful story!
Shamer's Daughyer is a wonderful and well written story that can be recommended for ages 7-99. I myself was 57 when I read it, and I nearly missed going to work because it was so exciting!
Enjoy! Anne Bisgaard

Coming of age in the midst of magical powers
These are delightful children's books about dragons, evil princes, and magical powers. The main character is a high-spirited, stubborn young teenage girl. Her life is a bit confusing as she has been gifted in ways that make her quite dangerous (or a great help) to those in power. Through a series of her own mistakes and willfulness and the actions of others around her (many of them negative or trying to use her), she discovers more who she is - and what her place is.

The series was fairly fast moving and uplifting; fairly plot and character centred. The characters had delightful and surprising elements to them, and were complicated and real. I don't think it's the kind of book that one would read twice (at least not as an adult) but I'd definitely recommend it.

Interesting Concept, Nicely Described
Admittedly, this isn't the best fantasy book I've read, but it's good. The young heroine isn't all-fired powerful, thank the book-gods for that. She's believable, whether brave or acting like a normal child. I had the large print version, very sweet. I could have read the thing clear across the room.